Education
THE Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa in Ondo State, has won the US-based Seeding Labs’ Instrumental Access Programme Award as well as a multi-million naira scientific research equipment.
This information was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Okitipupa by Prof. Sunday Ogunduyile, the institution’s Vice-Chancellor and made available to newsmen.
Ogunduyile said that the Department of Biological Sciences of OAUSTECH was one of the 18 outstanding departments in 10 countries across the globe chosen by Seeding Labs to receive the scientific equipment.
The research equipment includes spectrophotometer, balances, water bath, water purification system, co2 incubator, water-jacketed incubator, microscopes, timer, aquafit multi-two meter, thermal cycler, 8 channel pipette, submersible water pump, and an ultra-low temperature freezer.
Ogunduyile said that the selection of awardees for the donation was carried out through a highly competitive and rigorous selection process in a scientific proposal considered worthy and honoured by Seeding Labs.
According to him, Seeding Labs is a non-profit making charitable organisation based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, which strives to empower every scientist to transform the world.
He added that Seeding Labs had built a coalition of more than 170 public and private sector partners to provide scientists in developing nations with lab equipment, training, and other vital resources to improve education, research, and economic development.
The VC also quoted Christina Viola-Srivastava, the Director of Programmes at Seeding Labs as saying that ‘the 2020 Instrumental Access awardees were selected for their potential to solve problems and change lives through science’.
Meanwhile, Ogunduyile, who confirmed the arrival of the equipment promised that the institution would put the equipment to good use and improve the department’s research productivity as well as enhance the training of both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
“I am indeed grateful to Seeding Labs for the donation of a large quantity of scientific equipment, as this feat of the award is another milestone in the quest to make OAUSTECH a hub of research and innovation.
“I also expressed deep appreciation to Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for introducing the Seeding Labs’ Equipment donation programme to the institution and for his provision of financial and technical support at every stage of the application process.
“This is a clear indication of the governor’s passion for the enhancement of qualitative education in the state.
“I also thanked Mr Femi Agagu, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology and Prof. Akinbo Adesomoju, the Chairman, Governing Council of OAUSTECH among others for their immense contributions in making the application a success.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that OAUTECH, formerly Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), was established in 2008 with a mission to provide a sound scientific, technological and professional training for students.
NAN recalls that the state-owned institution was re-named after late Dr Olusegun Agagu, a former governor, by Akeredolu on Dec. 31, 2019 to immortalise him for his contribution toward establishing the institution. (NAN)
– Jun. 3, 2020 @ 13:49 GMT |
Tags: OAUSTECH wins US-based Seeding Lab’s multi-million naira scientific research equipment
